To Write Love on Her Arms' Elizabeth Wilder
We were recently able to chat with Elizabeth Wilder from To Write Love on Her Arms and pick her brain about her work for the non-profit. The work that To Write Love on Her Arms is exceptionally important, but we'll let her explain a little better.
OTR: To start off, tell us a little bit about yourself for readers who may not otherwise know anything about you.
EW: Hello Off The Record Press readers! My name is Elizabeth Wilder and I am a Music and Event Coordinator at the mental health non-profit organization To Write Love on Her Arms. TWLOHA is a mental health non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.
OTR: Why did you decide to get involved in this line of work, and what is your favorite part about what you do?
EW: I think we can all relate to TWLOHA's mission in one way or another. We know someone who deals with the topics aforementioned. Whether it's a relative, or a friend, or maybe even ourselves. As someone who struggles with depression, working in the mental health field seemed only natural. I want to be able to reach these people who are struggling, and meet them halfway so they know that help and hope are real and tangible. As a music and event coordinator, I'm lucky enough to travel to music festivals and interact face-to-face with long time supporters and people just hearing about TWLOHA. Each interaction is unique and special, each brings something new to the table. Being able to put a face to the name is so incredibly rewarding.
OTR: Are there any parts of your job that you dislike?
EW: Truly, and thankfully, I can't pinpoint any aspect of my job that I dislike. I walk into an office everyday surrounded by a community of people that has become family, and I get to do work that I'm passionate for. What more can you ask for, really? There will always be difficult days, but the good overshadow the bad always.
OTR: Do you have any favorite or especially memorable experiences from your time with TWLOHA?
EW: One of my favorite more current memories happened on Warped Tour this year. It was an extremely hot day in Houston, and a slower day behind the booth. A younger guy, 16 or 17, approaches me and asks if he can talk to someone, that he's struggling. I sit with him for maybe 30 minutes listening to his story and what he's gone through. I offer encouragement and tell him to reach out to us via e-mail so that he could be connected to local resources. He thanks me and walks away from the booth, blending back in with the other thousands of kids who attended Warped that day. You never know if your words will resonate with someone once they walk away from the booth, you know? The next day I get an e-mail from one of my co-workers saying that he had written in and he said "I talked to a nice lady at Warped about getting more help". That sentence alone had me floored. I was the nice lady at Warped and he took what I said to heart. It really put into perspective why I was on the road all summer. It's to make a difference.
OTR: You’ve been enmeshed in the music community for quite awhile now. How do you think that makes the work that you do different than the work that other similar charities do?
EW: I don't think being in the music community for so long has necessarily made our work any different than similar charities honestly. We may be more known, a more familiar face to those who see us out on the road, but it doesn't make what we do any better than organizations like HeartSupport or I Am Second. We all have the same mission, to help people. And it's so refreshing to have so many different non-profits out on the road because maybe our mission doesn't speak to you, you're still likely to find something that fits your needs and lifestyle.
OTR: What else do you think sets you apart from other similar charities?
EW: Our two big annual events that we host every year feel especially unique to us. In April we host a night of song and poetry called Heavy and Light, it's just a time for people to get together and experience community in an intimate and comfortable setting. We also host our Run For It 5k every year, where people can sign-up locally AND virtually, to help us raise funds for treatment and recovery. There is always such an outpouring of love and support during these times, we are always in awe of those who choose to share their time with us.
OTR: When seeing thousands of people who have rocky home lives or are being abused, does that warp your world view and make you more pessimistic? How do you combat that?
EW: Heavier days will always be present, days where certain stories linger a little too long and you need to take a step back and allow yourself time and grace to process. It's easy to get caught up in the struggles of others, but you have to find balance between others and yourself. I always listen to songs that make me happy, text a friend, watch a good movie, order pizza. Doing the things you love and spending time with the people you love always turns a heavy day lighter.
OTR: Lastly, what do you feel is the best way for people, especially those who are younger, to get involved with the cause?
EW: There are so many ways to get involved with To Write Love on Her Arms' message of hope and help. From simply wearing a t-shirt or passing out an info card from our online store to hosting a benefit to raise awareness. Also, volunteering as a crisis counselor with our good friends at Crisis Text Line. No effort is too big or too small. It all starts with a spark, a passion for people and wanting more for people. And we're so humbled and grateful for the people willing to start a spark.